It appears Lake Highlands league in Dallas is going age pure next year. They will implement the small sided games in every age group except the 2004s. The 2004s will play 11 v 11 next year at U12 given most 2004s have played 11 v 11 this year. The following year U12 reverts to 9 v 9 as the 05s in Texas are playing 9 v 9 at U11 this year.

Lets hope OSA follows this pattern. North Texas teams are a big source of revenue for our clubs and they are not going to come here if U12 is not 11 v 11 next year. Also, most Oklahoma teams travel extensively to North Texas for tournaments. This makes financial, developmental and practical sense for Oklahoma.

That said, it seems so simple the odds are OSA won't get it right. OSA leadership has shown a propensity to constantly get it wrong. That said, this seems to be a fresh start for clubs and even OSA. Let's hope the leadership actually tries to appease the will of the people and not do something stupid.

They may argue about Regionals and nationals? So what? We can play one state cup 9 v 9 or do 11 v 11 and just not participate. I think all teams would agree with that.

It is and it is not. Its never a waste when your DD gets to touch the ball and qualified coaching. It is possibly a waste from the team prospective. What needs to happen?

OSA must get out ahead of this. They can lay a framework (ie what i discussed above) so that clubs know what tomorrow holds. They then (in combination with the clubs) can redraft the bylaws et al later in the year.

Why? This provides clarity for parents. Frankly, if your DD is a high level player this allows you to investigate and scout what your DD's team could look like next year. A

Also, clubs need to know what they are working with. As big a nightmare this is for DD it is ten times worse for the DOC's at each club as they figure out their coaching slate. Coaches need to be allowed to prepare for the future. Maybe they play an 05 (who is a true 04) up to see how they mix with the current roster of 04s. It enables them to better evaluate.

Its not hard for OSA. Lay a constitutional framework and allow the tens of thousands of children to know what rules they will be playing under. Something as simple as what i put above would do for the parents sake and allow the member clubs to begin preparations. Call and emergency meeting and get this done!